Glechoma plant named &#39;Dappled Light&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Glechoma  plant named ‘Dappled Light,’ particularly characterized by its unique variegation. The main or ground cover of the upper surface of mature leaves is a medium green, with the reticulated pattern and veining being a very pale green. The leaf stems, when exposed to sunlight, have a pinkish-purple color, which pleasantly contrasts with the variegated leaves. The new cultivar has relatively long internodal spacing thereby producing a fuller and more open plant.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Glechoma hederacea variegata

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Dappled Light’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Glechomaplant, botanically known as Glechoma hederacea variegata, and referredto by the cultivar name, ‘Dappled Light.’

Glechoma is a genus of approximately ten species of creeping, decumbentplants. The species Glechoma Hederacea is a perennial, having pairs ofround, scalloped, bright green leaves and occasional small,trumpet-shaped, blue flowers. The species is commonly known by numerousother names, including Creeping Charley, Gill-on-the-Ground orGill-Over-the-Ground, Runaway Robin, Ground Ivy, Field Balm, andAlehoof. The normal ornamental use of the species is as small-scaleground cover or in hanging baskets. It can be a serious lawn and gardenweed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in May 2001 as anaturally occurring branch mutation of a plant of Glechoma hederaceavariegata, growing among plants of that species in a greenhouse inCottage Grove, Oreg. The parent is unpatented and has no varietaldenomination. The mutation was immediately recognized by the verydifferent color and variegation of its leaves.

The first act of asexual propagation of the new cultivar wasaccomplished when tip cuttings were taken from the branch mutation inMay 2001 by the inventor in a controlled environment in Cottage Grove,Oreg. Horticultural examination of plants of successive generations hasshown that the unique combination of characteristics of ‘Dappled Light’are firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and have beendetermined to be basic characteristics of the new cultivar which, incombination, distinguish the new cultivar as being new and distinct.

-   -   1. The leaf variegation is uniquely different, yet stable and        uniform.    -   2. The variegation comprises fine, dappled, light green spots        throughout the leaf surface, with the veining being the same        light green. The dappling is fairly consistent from leaf to        leaf.    -   3. The leaves are uniformly placed on the branches, thereby        enhancing the visual impact and beauty of the plant.    -   4. The leaf stems are pinkish-purple when exposed to sunlight,        providing a striking contrast with the dappled green leaves.    -   5. The new cultivar can be used as ground cover or as a trailing        accent in a mixed combination of plants.    -   6. The new cultivar is a moderate but vigorous grower, and is        easy to propagate.    -   7. Although plants of ‘Dappled Light’ may occasionally show a        few blooms in late summer when grown in Cottage Grove, Oreg.,        the flowers are considered inconsequential.

Of the commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similar incomparison to ‘Dappled Light’ is the parent from which it mutated. Theleaves of the parent have distinct, irregular blotches of green andwhite, with nonuniform white edging. The leaves of the new cultivar havea distinctly different medium green background and a light green,reticulated pattern and veins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying sheet of photographs shows the characteristics of thenew cultivar, with the colors being as nearly true as possible withillustrations of this type. The photo at the bottom shows a plant readyfor sale in a pot container. The photos at the top comprise close-upviews of the new cultivar, showing in more detail the unique variegationof the leaves and the pinkish-purple leaf stems.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new cultivar has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment, such as temperature, light intensity, and day lengthwithout, however, any variance in genotype. The following observations,measurements, and comparisons describe plants grown in Bonsall, Calif.,in sun to partial shade, day temperatures of 18.3 degrees C. to 23.8degrees C. and night temperatures of up to 12.8 degrees C. Normalcommercial growing conditions were used.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The values are based on plantmaterial grown in Bonsall, Calif., and the values were taken in earlyApril.

-   Parentage: ‘Dappled Light’ is a naturally occurring branch mutation    taken from an unpatented and unnamed plant of the species.-   Botanical classification: Glechoma hederacea variegate.-   Roots: Roots are white and fine; roots are initiated in 12 days in    summer at 20 degrees C. and 20 days in winter at the same    temperature; a rooted cutting or liner is produced in four weeks in    summer at 20 degrees C., and five weeks in winter at the same    temperature.-   Habit: ‘Dappled Light’ is a low, creeping/vining perennial, hardy to    approximately 12 degrees C. (hardiness zones 5-11). Plant height is    approximately 10 cm., and the area of spread of a typical specimen    plant is approximately 48 cm. However, growth is indeterminate. It    is graceful and delicately trailing. Growth rate is moderate due to    variegation of leaves, but plant vigor is very good. Pinching is    recommended two weeks after planting the liner. There is strong    apical dominance, and plants can also be cut back to promote the    development of the latest axillary shoots, which results in a fuller    plant. No basal shoots were observed, but the creeping stems develop    adventitious roots at the nodes, and will root if in contact with    the soil.-   Lateral shoots: The number of lateral shoots is highly variable, but    averages six-seven per plant. Lateral branch length varies as well,    averaging approximately 24 cm. The diameter of the stems is only    0.15 cm, and the slender stems are squarish, covered in short,    scattered, white hairs (pubescent). Internodes are relatively    long—6.2 cm—and the long internode results in a loose, open plant    habit.-   Stems: Stems are initially upright, but stem strength is only fair,    and stems then fall over and grow horizontally along the soil. The    ground color of stems is light green (RHS 145D), but if exposed to    sunlight, they develop a greyed, rose-violet tint (RHS 185D). This    rose tint provides a nice decorative effect contrasted with the    variegated leaves. There are latent axillary shoots, two per node,    which develop into lateral shoots if the shoot tip is pinched.    Although the stems creep along the soil surface, the leaves tend to    curve on their petioles to face upward toward the light.-   Leaves: Leaves are opposite and simple. The numbers of leaves per    branch varies with its length, but an average stem has approximately    14 visible leaves. The leaf shape is reniform to orbicular (see    photos). The leaf tip is rounded, and the leaf base i3n cordate.    Leaf margins are regularly crenate/scalloped. Leaf length averages    4.2 cm; leaf width averages 4.6 cm. The texture of the leaves is    slightly sandpapery on both sides due to the short, scattered hairs,    more of which are on the lower side, especially along the veins. The    leaf venation pattern is palmate toward the base, becoming    reticulate toward the margins. Young leaves are RHS 146C on the    upper side, and are RHS 146D on their lower side. As leaves expand    and mature, the dappled variegation develops (see photos). On the    upper side, the ground color of the mature leaf is medium green, RHS    146A, with an overall random reticulated or dappled pattern of very    pale green, RHS 145D. Leaf color of mature leaves on their underside    is RHS 147C/D. Vein color of mature leaves is RHS 145D on the upper    side, and RHS 194C on the lower side.-   Leaf petioles: Leaf petiole length is highly variable, and depends    on the position of the leaf on the stem. (Older, mature basal leaves    have longer petioles than young leaves at shoot tips.) An average    leaf petiole is approximately 7.5 cm. Petiole diameter is only    0.1 cm. Petioles are slightly rough and pubescent. Petiole color on    the upper side is generally RHS 195C, but often it is tinged with    grey-pink (RHS 182C) if exposed to the sun. Petiole color on the    lower side is RHS 195C.-   Other foliage characteristics: No stipules, tendrils, thorns, or    spines. were observed. The broadly scalloped, kidney-shaped leaves    are decorative, with a fine, reticulate, pale green variegation. The    long petioles tend to have an upright aspect so that leaf blades are    held nearly horizontally, even on creeping steps.-   Flowers or buds: The plant shown in the photos and from which the    above description was made did not express budding or flowering.-   Pest resistance: The new cultivar is susceptive to white flies.

1. A new and distinct Glechoma plant named ‘Dappled Light,’ as describedand illustrated.